Lewis targets win in Cardiff

Exeter Chiefs only have themselves to blame now that their European adventure is over - according to scrum-half Dave Lewis.

Rob Baxter's side head to Cardiff to take on the Blues knowing that their Heineken Cup Pool hopes are already at an end.

That fact was confirmed in their defeat to Glasgow Warriors at home last weekend, a defeat that saw Baxter make ten changes to his starting XV.

And while Lewis and co will still be going to the Blues hoping for a victory, the scrum-half cannot help but reflect on what might have been in a European campaign that saw them twice edged out by reigning champions Toulon.

"As a team we all felt very disappointed after the Glasgow defeat," said Lewis, whose Chiefs side have only won one of their last nine games in all competitions. "Even with the changes that we made to the side, we all felt that was a game we were in position to win.

"I don't think it (the Chiefs recent slide) is down to the seasons, it's a case of us not taking the game and making the most of the key moments. We have not really been well beaten or blown away, we have always been in there but we need to recognise when the key moments are.

"Rob spoke to us about this, they don't always come in the last quarter of a game, even if you think they might. Sometimes you open up a lead but then you need to challenge yourself, to reset and go again to try and put more pressure on the opponent and we have not been able to do that.

"We only have ourselves to blame for what has happened in Europe, in every game we have been in there with a chance to win. Twice against Toulon, but particularly at home, we had our chances and couldn't make the most of it."

After the Chiefs' trip to the Welsh capital, the Devon-based side return to LV= Cup duties before the Aviva Premiership returns.

And Lewis admits that both competitions present the side with a real chance to turn their season into a success.

"We have spoken about this, we are in a good place as a squad but we have to try and take that next step," he added. "We want to be competing for silverware, to bring that competitive edge like the best teams are able to do.

"The top four is our goal in the Premiership as well, but we can't afford to look too far ahead. There are only four points in it but we have to make sure that we don't lose focus on the week by week stuff because that is how we are going to get there."